The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1887-01-22

desired her t. marry q baron nearly as
old as himself. but possessed Of vast es-
tates. The high-spirted girl rebelled.
The father insisted and, in spite OF her
remonstrance, preparations were pade
for the wedding. The daughter said no
more and the father thought he was 60
ing to have his way. The wedding night
came. The guest were assembled. The
bridegroom was waiting. The hour came
but the bride came not Complaining
Of WEAKNESS she had retired to her room
soon after dinner, promising to appear ut
the appointed time II they would not
disturb her. 1T last her father sent for
her. She was not in her room. The
house was searched. the grounds, the
neighborhood; but she could not be
| found
"Next day shawl belonging to the
/ girl was found down by this lake. AS it
was the only trace of her, people con-
cluded that, to escape fate so repulsive
| to her, she had drowned herself. A lit
tie after that the spectre you have just
seen began to frequent those waters.
Many have tried to overtake it as you
did, but it ALWAYS vanishes among those
rocks; and so they think it is thu spirit
of Lucia. the lost hercss Of Larr,moor. ="
The young lord seemed greatly moved
by the sad story he had just related, and
l could not help but feel tina. he had
taken more than passing interest IN the
lencc, during which he began to pull for
the homeward shore. / said: Had the
lady no o:h"r adnlirersf
"Oh, yes; many" he replied; "but
few dared to approach, and these her
/ father rcpulsed" After minute he con
tinucd: 1T is useless for me to tfy to
conceal my feeling from you, for l feel
that you have ready OWNED them. /,
also, loved the beautiful lady, though she
knew not of my affection. My parents
were the only people in the country with
whom Lord Larr'moor was on friendly
te ms, and during hi lady's last sick
ness my mother attended her constantly.
| After her death she took great interest
in the child, who was about the are of
my sister, and used to bring Lucia home
with her to stay a week at time
Then we three would have grand
times romping about the hall, and
playing in the park. Some times we
were allowed to accompany Lucia home
and stay TO tea; but | never enjoyed
these visits. The old hall seemed 50
dark and gloom, and its master Sd stern
and taciturn. As we grew older we were
together even more, canterlng over the
hills on horseback, or taking long ram
bles in the woods But most of all we
liked to row about on this very lake.
My father taught ME to row as soon as |
was large enough to handle an oar, and
l instructed the girls. Lucia became
very skillful, and could outrow both of
us. Afterward my mother died, and my
sister and | were sent away to school.
AS long rs my fether lived we spent our
vacations at home. Put he survived my
mother only two years. After his death
we made our home with an aunt in Dub
lin, and Glendale Hall was closed At
ter finished my course, we spent three
years in travcl. After an abse zee of five
wears returned to Glendale to find my
playmate, whose mem 1ry had cherish,d
during all the years of our separation. a
beautiful and accomplished young lady.
She and my sister resumed their former
friendship; but she seemed shv of me,
and before | had an opportunity 10 open
my heart to her, she sought refuge from
her fathers cruelty in a waite y grave. v
During this recital we had left the
boat, and were now picking our way
along the uneven path which led to the
house. 1t was quite late when We
reached the hall, and wessoon separated
for the night.
lay down, but not to sleep. The oc-
currencc of the evening filed my mind,
and banished sleep from my eyelids.
longed to fathom the mystery. l had nc
faith in the supernatural, and l no more
believed the boat we had seen was row, d
J nv q snirit than I hrlirvnI my elf to b.